Leila, the Perfect Witch by Flavia Z. Drago
Published by Candlewick Press on July 12, 2022
ISBN: 1536220507
Pages: 40
Genres: Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads

Leila is a great witch but what she REALLY wants is to win the Magnificent Witchy Cake-off. It turns out, however, that baking isn’t exactly a piece of cake. Her sisters swoop in to help her, and she ends up a finalist on the show. In the end, Leila doesn’t win, but she learns that having fun is more important that winning.

This is a good book for kids who are struggling to accept losing. The story isn’t mind blowing, but there isn’t anything wrong with it either. This book will fill the role it’s intended to fill—it’ll help kids accept that they don’t win at everything. The mixed media illustrations add depth and humor to the story with movement, expression, and emotion. Recommended for one-on-one reading with readers 4 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME